Sturridge, 23, is yet to start a Premier League match this season and has had limited opportunity to make an impact when playing off the bench.

The Chelsea forward has expressed his frustration at being a second-choice striker behind Fernando Torres, but advice from a former team-mate has kept him focussed on proving the critics wrong.

"I don't need anyone to tell me I am great or that I am fantastic, I just need to play," Sturridge said. "I need the opportunity and that is when you get your own confidence.

"Didier Drogba always said to me: 'Studge, it doesn't really matter about anything as long as you believe in yourself'. And that's my main strength.

"If anyone says to you that if they don't play they are fine, it is a lie. I do not believe it is easy to not play and then switch it on like a light."

Sturridge has often been used as a wide player in the Premier League this season and he feels he could aid Chelsea's title challenge if given the chance to move into a more central role.

"It's always difficult to say I'd score 20 goals a season, but I think if any player's given a regular run then you'd hope that, given if they're playing for a top club and given opportunities to score goals, that they'd be able to do that," he said. "I do believe I'm a centre-forward and I do believe I'd be able to help the team win games."